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1 May

Teacher union launches Fair Pay Agreement on behalf of early childhood

The early childhood sector has lodged its application with MBIE for a fair pay agreement, with more than 5000 staff members signed in support of it.

12 May

Kindy teachers accept latest pay offer, while primary teachers hold out for more

Kindergarten teachers have accepted the latest pay offer – see previous post for the offer.
Meanwhile primary school teachers have voted the latest pay offer which included increased pay offers of between 11-14%, more classroom release time, sick leave and cultural teaching allowances putting those at the top of the pay scale on $100,000 by December 2024 and the bottom of the scale would rise to $58,505.

21 May

Te Whatu Ora takes legal action to stop Gisborne nurses strike

Te Whatu Ora has applied for an interim injunction to stop a one-hour health and safety strike by its Ward 5 (Acute Medical) nurses at Gisborne Hospital. NZNO says it will oppose the interim injunction and the hearing will take place on Monday 22 May.

19 May

Disabled workers celebrate end of minimum wage discrimination

The Government will end the discriminatory Minimum Wage Exemption (MWE), which allows disabled people to be paid less than the minimum wage, by mid-2025. Ensuring that disabled people have the same minimum wage protection as those without diabilities.

The announcement impacts 800 workers who will have their wages lifted to the minimum wage.

30th May

Hospitality Fair Pay Agreement: Union given green light to bargain, industry says timing off

Around 160,000 hospitality workers and over 24,000 employers will be covered by a new Hospo Fair pay Agreement that has just been given the green light by MBIE

Unite national secretary John Crocker said any agreement would be complicated because it would cover a wide range of businesses and occupations.

The next steps are to identify and notify employer groups and other unions so that bargaining sides can be formed. Hospitality employers will be required to provide unions involved with contact details of all covered employees so that they can be consulted before and during bargaining.

Additional Article

https://thespinoff.co.nz/kai/31-05-2023/explained-hospitality-gets-the-fair-pay-agreement-green-light

Community Corrections Workers Ratify New Collective Agreement

PSA members at Community corrections have voted to accept the latest pay offer after 10 months of bargaining and 2 strikes.

On Friday 26 May, amongst other improvements, members voted to endorse the new Collective Agreement which now provides:

•  Remediation payments of between $1100 and $15,000 for almost 500 members, who have been undervalued for years under competency-based pay
•  Increases in the first year of the new Collective Agreement of between 4.7% and 14.2%
• Replacement of the competency-based pay model with annual automatic pay progression; meaning that all members will earn their maximum pay within 4 years
•  The restoration of access to Professional Supervision
•  2x $350 Wellness Allowances
•  Lump sum payments of $750 and $500
•  Improvements to overtime and shift work provisions
•  Improved Long Service recognition

31 May

Secondary school teachers reject latest pay offer, rolling strikes continue

New pay offers have failed to stop secondary and area school teachers resuming industrial action

(Image: Archi Banal / Stuff)